The obvious features that most folks learn to use with Windows are just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to the innovative ways that Windows has to help you work smarter and easier. A majority of PC users don’t take advantage of all the features available with the Windows operating system. They learn the basics and never venture further. We’ll give you some strategies for additional methods of using Windows to make you aware of the possibilities it has to offer.

Take the time to learn how to most efficiently use the Windows taskbar for an easier life. The taskbar is what you use when you want to launch a program, and also when you want to switch from one program that’s running to another one. Do you need to open more than one copy of a particular program at the same time? This is where you can feel limited. Normally, this isn’t possible. All you’ll get is the version that’s already running when you click om the program’s icon. If you are in a situation, however, where you need a different instance of a program you are running to open, you can do this by first holding down the SHIFT key and then clicking on the icon of the program. Do this as many times as you need to. Each time, you will open a new copy of the program.

Most computer folks search for information on the web by first opening their browser and then doing a search. One convenient feature that Windows 7 offers is the ability to do searches without opening your browser – straight from your desktop. You have to use what are called search connectors, which enable you to search various sites, such as YouTube, from your desktop. This is really convenient if you just want to do a quick search on a particular site but don’t want to bother opening your browser. Many websites already have search connectors you can download and, if a particular site doesn’t have one, there are information sites that will show you how to create one.

You can make Windows run faster by maintaining only software that you actually use on your computer. It’s not unusual for a computer to have various software programs and applications already loaded on the hard drive. This can, of course, be convenient but most users don’t need or open a lot of them. The memory necessary for these programs to reside on your computer are one reason it runs slower. So, if you’re positive a program isn’t one that you’re interested in, delete it. A lot of programs start-up automatically when you turn on your computer. You can make your computer run faster by disabling the programs that you really don’t need to open at start up. Don’t slow down your computer unnecessarily during start-up by loading a bunch of software apps you won’t be using.

Windows 7 has a Shake feature that makes it much easier to keep track of what you’re doing. Click on the title bar of the window you’re using and shake it back and forth. Your window will stay open and the other windows that were open will minimize to the Task Bar. If you press the Home Key and the Windows Key simultaneously, you will accomplish the same thing. This may sound like a silly feature, but it can really help you focus on what you’re doing and not be distracted by other windows. With each new edition of Windows, we see major enhancements and new ways to get our work done. It has really come far in recent years. Windows 7 users can vouch for the many enhancements and improvements it has when compared to the versions that came before. If you run on Windows XP or Vista, there are many features you can discover to run your PC more efficiently that you may not know about. This is just a small taste of the types of things you can do within the Windows operating system when you learn the correct techniques.

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